All About API Certified CK4 Diesel Engine Oils

The American Petroleum Institute (API) stated in March 2016 that two new diesel engine oil standards, API CK-4 and API FA-4, had been accepted. The first day these lubricants were made accessible to fleets was December 1, 2016.

Basic Information

The CK-4 and FA-4 oils are intended for various purposes. This implies that mechanics and customers will need to consult their owner's manuals or engine manufacturers to figure out which oil is best for their car. API created two aesthetically distinct API Service Symbol Donuts to help customers differentiate between the two categories. A darkened portion on the new API FA-4 Donut distinguishes API FA-4 oils from CK-4 Ck4 engine oils. The API CK-4 Donut will resemble the present CJ-4 Donut in appearance.

These new oil requirements were created to provide greater protection for new and older engines, increase engine oil performance, and assist engine manufacturers in meeting 2017 regulatory emissions criteria. CK-4 and FA-4 outperform current requirements by offering better protection against oil oxidation and engine wear, particle filter blockage, piston deposits, and low- and high-temperature property deterioration. Engine manufacturers, API's Lubricants Group, the Truck & Engine Manufacturers Association (EMA), and the American Chemistry Council collaborated for several years to create the new categories (ACC).

Additive chemistry

FA-4 and 5W40 ck4 engine oil have similar additive chemistry; however, they should not be used interchangeably. HTHS and operating temperature viscosity are greater in CK4 engine oils than in FA-4 oils. Low HTHS oils are meant to outperform existing CJ-4 and CK-4 lubricants in terms of fuel economy by using lower viscosity oils. These new engine oil standards, particularly for FA-4, represent a significant shift in the industry's heavy-duty oil specifications. In comparison to CJ-4 oils, the predicted drain of CK-4 and FA-4 lubricants should improve. Using high-quality CK-4 and FA-4 oils, some engine manufacturers have already declared extended drain intervals.

Mixing oils

When changing inventories or adding oil on the road, mixing API CK-4 and API CJ-4 lubricants will not produce an oil incompatibility problem or injury to older or newer engines. However, because employing API CK-4 oils has performance advantages, mixing should be limited in order to reap the benefits of CK-4 oils.

The blend of CJ-4 and CK-4 will not cause any difficulties as long as the oils have the same viscosity. In service, the two will be interoperable, but mixing should be limited to ensure that the improved CK-4 benefits are realized. Due to the reduced operating viscosities inherent in the new FA-4 lubricants, combining FA-4 oils with CK-4 or CJ-4 should be avoided. When FA-4 is accidentally mixed with API CJ-4 or CK-4 engine oils in an application that calls for FA-4, the engine will not be harmed, but fuel efficiency gains will be lost. The use of FA-4 oils or mixes in applications that call for CK-4 or CJ-4 may reduce operating viscosities and may damage some engines if used for an extended period of time.

Increased benefits

When CJ-4 lubricants were first released, they were highly sophisticated oils, and CK-4 and FA-4 expand on that technology to assist satisfy changing engine standards and new engine needs. New generations of high-performance diesel engine oils will aid in the protection of both new and older engines.

Since the introduction of the CJ-4, engines have evolved significantly. They've reduced fuel usage while increasing power output. New EPA emission standards and NHTSA legislation for diesel-powered commercial transport vehicles are set to take effect in 2017, requiring considerable reductions in fuel use to help cut CO2 emissions.

These gains in fuel consumption are dependent on vehicle class, kind, and size, and include benefits for medium- and heavy-duty engines in particular. Many of the new oils have 5W-30 or 10W-30 viscosity, rather than 15W-40, and are evaluated for usage in a variety of engines. Lower viscosity engine oils are recommended by some engine manufacturers, and they may increase fuel efficiency and cold-weather start-up.

Engine maker requirements

Many fleets have inquired as to whether API CK-4 or API FA-4 oils would be required by engine manufacturers. To answer this question, it’s important to note that the development of new API CK-4 and FA-4 lubricants has been sponsored and aided by engine manufacturers. The current policy is to recommend the new oils when they are appropriate, but they are not necessary to satisfy engine warranties in most cases. Engine manufacturers will continue to interact with their distribution network and consumers; therefore, this attitude may change in the future. This also implies that many engine manufacturers are still willing to employ API CJ-4. It's critical to double-check engine oil recommendations with your engine manufacturer.

Choose DOXA 5W40 CK4 Engine Oil

The fully synthetic &heavy duty diesel engine oil from DOXA is meticulously created and engineered to outperform traditional diesel engine oils. DOXA’s Fully Synthetic 5W40, 15W-40, and 10W-30 diesel engine oil is formulated to fulfil the most stringent performance criteria of today's high-output, low-emission European and American diesel engines. It's made with high-quality base oil and cutting-edge additive technologies to deliver the best diesel engine performance. All the heavy-duty engine oils from DOXA meet or exceed the requirements of CK-4, CJ-4, CI-4 PLUS, and previous classifications.